PART 2: COLLEGE STUDENTS

"you're so slow!"

"you're annoying!"

taehyung was running after jeongguk, trying to catch up to the older's almost inhumane speed. exaggerated, but at the same time not. it do be feeling like that, especially because taehyung is basically the epitome of lazy.

jeongguk laughed out as he stopped and turned around, causing taehyung to collide with him. before the blue haired could fall, jeongguk wrapped his arms around his waist though, lifting him up to spin him around. "let me down, you damn rabbit!"

"nope," jeongguk responded, he stopped spinning the younger male around, but still held him up in the air, his feet dangling around now.

taehyung pouted when jeongguk wouldn't let him down. "you're annoying, let me down."

with a scoff, the ravenette complied and let go of the blue haired, causing him to fall on his bum with a hiss. "there you go."

"i hate you," taehyung spat, jeongguk chuckled.

"tell me something new."

rolling his eyes, taehyung got up of the ground.

two years and a half have gone by pretty quickly, taehyung is 18 now and jeongguk is at the fine age of 20. jeongguk had healed quicker than expected, instead of five months he needed only four and he got out of the hospital instantly. the fear of jeongguk not being able to walk normally again, as the doctors had stated could probably happen, was instantly gone on the first day jeongguk was allowed to walk again. he was supposed to try walking normally, but he didn't have to try. he was completely fine and the biggest relief had settled on everyone's shoulders when they saw. especially taehyung, who cried in happiness the whole day.

since then, everyday was spent together. ayeong, taehyung's grandma, got to meet jeongguk and it's amazing how fast she had enclosed the young raven haired into her heart. the circle expanded when seokjin and namjoon started showing up from time to time too. seokjin and ayeong became best friends, their friendship is remarkable, age not playing a role at all.

but jeongguk and taehyung- these two have become completely inseparable. they have the friendship everyone is wishing for, fitting in each others lives like puzzle pieces.

"excited for college?" jeongguk questioned, wiggling his eyebrows as he smiled down at the only one or two centimetres smaller male. taehyung had grown more than jeongguk had expected, but still even if the difference wasn't big at all- next to jeongguk, taehyung just looks like a small bean. probably due to the fact that the older is becoming buffer and stronger everyday, or maybe due to him also looking more intimidating, with his tattoos and the long, black hair. of course, he only looks intimidating though, because actually he is a sweetheart.

it were currently summer holidays and it was only a week left before college would start for taehyung. jeongguk is already one year in and starts his second year when taehyung starts his first one.

"i just hope my roommate will be nice," the younger pouted, "why can't we just be roommates?"

jeongguk sighed. they had requested it at the college (they of course applied for the same one) since they really wanted to be together. but the people there said it would be better for new students to spend time with other people in their year and build connections, which is just unfair in the eyes of the two.

"it would've been amazing," jeongguk marked and taehyung sighed defeated, looking down, kicking against the stones on the stone way. "but you said hoseok is also a good roommate."

"yeah he's cool to hang around," jeongguk stated, wrapping an arm around taehyung's shoulder as they continued their walk back home. "but you're my number one."

another sigh left taehyung's lips. "i... hope these years are gonna pass quickly."

a confused expression formed on jeongguk's features by that exclamation. the whole summer over, taehyung had been so excited to finally be able to go to the same college as jeongguk, after spending a year without him in high school. hearing him suddenly wishing for everything to go over quickly was unexpected and worried the raven. "what's wrong, bub?" he questioned.

"lately, i've been thinking.. you know because of how i am and all. i'm scared i won't be able to find friends when you're not there.. i just don't wanna be alone you know?" taehyung mumbled truthfully, suddenly feeling cold as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

a small smile formed on jeongguk's lips as he pulled him even closer to his side. "taehyung, you're perfect. everybody wants to be friends with you once they get to know you. it's their loss if not." he said, to which the younger smiled halfheartedly.

getting older, taehyung had become more comfortable with his sexuality and generally with himself. he started to show it around when he feels comfortable, by clothes, make-up and behavior, though the only time he really feels comfortable is when he is at home and when jeongguk is around. so no one besides his family actually know the real him.

even if he grew more confident with himself during this time, it's still not enough for him to be strong enough to go out, wearing a skirt or make-up. he had accepted himself, but he is afraid of others not being able to accept him.

jeongguk was a big part in taehyung's development, when not the biggest. he had helped him find what he wants, had shown him that it's not wrong to be into boys and like stuff that are usually being associated with the feminine gender. he even bought taehyung his first skirt for his birthday, remembering how taehyung had told him that he'd love to try it out someday, but he had been too shy go buy one. jeongguk will never forget how much his best friend had cried that day because of happiness. jeongguk was the best that ever happened to him in life.

"nana made your favorite today," taehyung suddenly remembered, trying to distract himself from worrying too much about what the future holds. and jeongguk's smile was a perfect distraction.

"for real? she's amazing, i love her so much." he smiled and taehyung giggled.

"she's the best for real," the blue haired said and jeongguk completely agreed. "have you talked to jimin?"

"yeah, we texted in the morning."

"let's play fortnite together later."

taehyung smiled. "sounds good."

of course jimin will forever be taehyung's soulmate. and taehyung had visited him really often and sometimes, jeongguk joined, since he and jimin also got to be good friends through taehyung. and since then the three of them play video games together everyday, face time, call. sadly, jimin still lives in busan.

"do you wanna take this with you?" jeongguk asked, holding a photograph in a frame of him and taehyung together up.

taehyung smiled, nodding and grabbed the photo to pack it into his suitcase. he is going to move into a dorm and was packing his things now, jeongguk helping him by taking whatever he gets into his hands and asking taehyung if he needs it.

"are you gonna take this with you too?" jeongguk questioned, holding the blue haired boy's small orange night lamp up. it was one you'd pluck in and make light immediately all night, as long as it's connected to electricity.

taehyung hesitated. it's no secret for his close friends and family to know he has problems sleeping without a light. he isn't sure how his new roommate is going to react to it though, or if he will be okay with it. "maybe not."

jeongguk frowned by the younger's hesitant behavior and walked to the younger's suitcase, packing the lamp in. "i don't want you to have sleepless nights, just because you worry about your roommate, tae. he might not even be that bad, but if he turns out to be a dick, come to me instantly, yeah?"

taehyung looked down. "thank you, gguk. but maybe i should grow up and leave it here. i'm not a kid anymore-

"the fuck not. you're gonna take this lamp with you, no matter what. even if that means i have to personally check up on you every night just to make sure you have it turned on."

still looking down, taehyung fiddled with his fingers, feeling sudden anxiety building up inside of him. he sometimes hates how childish he is and how childish his habits are. and it just adds to his insecurities.

taehyung nervously chewed on his lip and jeongguk sighed, before walking over to the younger male. taehyung looked up confused, when jeongguk held his tattooed hand out for him to take. "come with me," the ravenette said, helping taehyung up, who followed him silently.

taehyung was confused when he and jeongguk reached his grandma's bedroom. she was out with friends, so not at home. "what do you want here?" the questioned, when jeongguk grabbed his shoulders and moved him around.

"you have to stand here," the ravenette said, leaving the room quickly and taehyung looked up to see he was standing in front of the only full body mirror they had at home. he just stared at himself, waiting for jeongguk to come back.

"i'm back!" jeongguk jogged back into the room, a silly smile on his face, that was confusing taehyung.

"where were you?" taehyung questioned, turning around to face him.

the ravenette smiled fondly. "i just had to get this," he responded, before showing a silver hairpin to taehyung. the blue haired didn't even have time to recognize if the pin had any pattern or glitter kn it, when it disappeared out of his view, as jeongguk used it to pin taehyung's hair behind his ear on one side.

taehyung felt his heart thud hardly against his chest, mind going blank for a second as he looked to jeongguk's eyes, who was so concentrated on the blue hair. taehyung never felt this way.

his cheeks heated up, when jeongguk turned him to look back to the mirror. taehyung looked at himself, his small frame looking right back at him. he was wearing light blue jeans and a light green hoodie, matched with white socks, nothing special, if he compares it to what he would wear if he had the confidence to. but taehyung rather ignored his body and looked up to his hair, the silver hairpin reflecting the light shining through the window. he had to admit the hairstyle was cute, it made him look pretty.

jeongguk smiled, watching taehyung softly. he slowly advanced the boy again and wrapped his arms around him from behind. "do you see this? that's pure beauty, bub." the younger boy tensed up by hearing these words.

back hugging was actually something common between them, they're pretty touchy with each other and even if jeongguk doesn't look like it, with his tattoos, raven hair, black clothing style and so on, he loves affection. just from a few people though.

jeongguk turned taehyung to face him. taehyung looked up to jeongguk with his big doe-eyes, not knowing what he should think.

"you're perfect the way you are, bub. you are an amazing person, tae, you're so cute and lovely and you seriously don't know how pretty you are. i have never seen someone as good-looking as you, you will forever be my number one." it felt like the air was knocked out of taehyung's lungs, overhelmed by all that just left joengguk's mouth. since when had what jeongguk says such a huge impact in him?

"taehyung, you're really beautiful, inside and out." taehyung tensed when jeongguk suddenly started to brush his hand through his hair, with a fond expression. "do what you want, wear what you want, you are your own person, tae. no one has anything to tell you, kay? not your roommate, not me, not anyone else. you just... have to be yourself taehyung."

taehyung felt his eyes burning with tears that started to form. "but if he does, then i'll just take you to my dorm and we'll sleep on one bed, like when we were younger. i don't think hoseok would mind." he smiled, wanting to ease the tension. taehyung managed to let out a small giggle, as also the first tear decided to roll down his cheeks.

jeongguk was right. taehyung can do what he wants, he shouldn't care about what others think.

"y-you're the best, jeongguk-" taehyung sobbed, hugging the ravenette. jeongguk smiled softly, hugging him back. "yeah, i'm already aware of that."

taehyung laughed, hitting the older's arm, jeongguk laughed too.

author

I FINALLY HAVE SUMMER HOLIDAYS